Read More

Leanne said she had hoped that rather than make a claim on her car insurance, which would involve paying an excess of £250 and losing her four-year no-claims bonus, the council’s insurance would cover the costs of repairing her car.

However, that has not happened. After mediation with the council failed to settle the disagreement, Leanne began proceedings in the small claims court and a hearing will now take place at Leicester County Court on January 19.

Recalling the day the tree fell, Leanne said she had had a lucky escape.

She said: “It fell onto my car, which was parked in the drive. It could easily have happened when I was getting into my car to go back to work, but luckily I’d stopped for a cup of tea with two of my daughters who happened to be at home."

She added: “I called the council to tell them this had happened, and their response was that yes, the tree was rotten in its roots, but that they couldn’t have known that.

“I had called them and warned them it was leaning, but they did nothing about it."

Read More

Snow coming to Leicester

“We are responsible for maintaining around 70,000 trees on highway land and incidents like this are very rare. We think trees are really good for the environment and local areas, which is why we are committed to maintaining them.

“Anyone concerned about the safety of trees situated in the public highway can contact us on 0116 305 0001.”